Age-Friendly Caledon

The Town offers a Snow Removal Assistance program to support eligible low-income older adults (65+), and low-income persons with disabilities to safely access their private driveways, stairs and walkways during various winter weather events. The Town will provide assistance in the form of a financial grant to qualified applicants to support the purchase of snow removal services. Residents will receive a maximum rebate of $500.

Program Eligibility: 

• Be 65 years of age or older by the date of application and receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) OR be younger than 65 years of age by the date of application and receiving Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP); and 
• Be responsible for the removal of snow from your own property and do not live in a condominium complex, apartment or similar dwelling whereby all snow removal is the direct responsibility of the condominium or property management corporation; and 
• Confirm that no abled-bodied persons under the age of 65 capable of removing snow from the property reside at the address of the application; and
• Sign/Agree to the Snow Removal Financial Assistance Program Waiver provided in the application.

Please Note: this program is not eligible to be combined with the Windrow Removal Assistance Pilot Program.

NEW: Starting November 29, 2023 proof of low-income is no longer required for residents 75+ to qualify for the Snow Removal Financial Assistance Program. If you meet the remaining qualifications listed above you may qualify for funding.

Click Here to Apply for Snow Removal Financial Assistance

If you have questions about the programs or require assistance with your application please call 311 or email info@caledon.ca.  

As part of the Age-Friendly Caledon Action Plan the Town of Caledon has approved a pilot program to provide driveway windrow clearing to 200 older adult (65+) residents who require assistance in clearing the snow windrow from their driveway and who meet a set of requirements.

A windrow is the pile of snow at the end of the driveway created by the snowplows when they clear the road.

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined within the application which will be confirmed through an on-site inspection by the Town. Applicants can expect service after an accumulation of 8cm at the end of the driveway within 24 hours after the roads being cleared per snow event from January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024. The snow cleared from the end of the driveway shall then be stored within the boulevard. The snow shall not be removed from the area by the Town.

Residents will be required to apply to the program annually to qualify for this service program.

You will receive confirmation via email/phone once your application has been reviewed and approved. The payment to be made to the Town of Caledon shall be an annual non-refundable fee of $200.00.

Program Eligibility Requirements:
• All occupants of the residence must be 65+ years of age; and
• Program is eligible for driveways on Town local, urban roads only; and
• The end of driveways must be cleared of all obstacles including landscape features, trash cans, gates/fencing and parked cars; and
• Applications to be reviewed and approved on a first-come, first-serve basis up to 200 residences; and
• Successful applicants will pay a non-refundable fee of $200.00 for the service annually.

Please note: this program is not eligible to be combined with the Snow Removal Financial Assitance Program.

Click Here to Apply for the Windrow Removal Assistance Pilot Program

If you have questions about the programs or require assistance with your application please call 311 or email info@caledon.ca.  

Q: Can I qualify for the Snow Removal Financial Assistance Program and the Windrow Removal Assistance Pilot Program?

A: No. Residents can only qualify for one program to ensure equity for all those interested in applying.

Q: What is the Snow Removal Financial Assistance Program?

A: This program grants qualifying $500 towards a snow removal contract with a service provider of their choice. To apply, click here.

Q: What is Guaranteed Income Supplement?

A: For residents 65 - 74 applying for the Snow Removal Financial Assistance Program you will be required to provide proof of GIS. Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a monthly payment you can get if you are 65 or older. The Supplement is based on income and is available to Old Age Security pensioners with low income. Click here to learn more about GIS

Q: What is the Windrow Removal Assistance Pilot Program?

A: This program offers windrow removal services (provided by the Town of Caledon) for qualifying residents on a first-come, first-served basis up to 200 residents. A non-refundable fee of $200 applies. To apply, click here.

Q: What is a Windrow?

A: A windrow is snow left at the bottom of the driveway after road crews have cleared the travelled portion of the road.

Date: January 30, 2024

Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Southfields Community Centre (225 Dougall Ave, Caledon) - Map

Registration will be available January 8 - 26

Click Here to Register for the January 30 Session

Need Help Registering? Please call 311 for assistance.

Date: February 8, 2024

Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Rotary Place (7 Rotarian Way, Bolton) - Map

Registration will be available January 22 - February 5

Click Here to Register for the February 8 Session

Need Help Registering? Please call 311 for assistance.

Date: March 26, 2024

Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Alton Village Community Room and Library (35 Station St. Alton) - Map

Registration will be available March 4 - 22

Click Here to Register for the March 26 Session

Need Help Registering? Please call 311 for assistance.

Looking to give back this year? Why not donate a Smile Box for a local senior? 

Need a team building activity at your place of employment - putting together Smile Boxes is a great holiday activity that you can feel good about. 

Learn more about what a Smile Box is and how you can help give back to your community. 

Check out the Santas For Seniors Facebook Page for more information and updates. 
Please note: 

While Santas For Seniors hopes to provide as many boxes as possible, there is no guarantee how many boxes will be donated. Volunteers will determine the number of seniors that will benefit the most from the initiative and do their best to provide boxes for them. 

A Smile Box is a shoebox size gift filled with a variety of items geared to men, women or they can be unisex. You can create your own Smile Box by following the steps below: 

1. Wrap a shoebox with gift wrap (wrap the lid separate) or use a similar size box purchased from a dollar store or craft store. 
2. Fill the box with any combination of items (example: body wash, comb, brush, scarf, hat, socks, lip balm, nail polish, books, small puzzles, baseball cap, journals, pens, adult colouring books, pencil crayons, photo frame, chocolate, etc.)
3. Enclose a hand-written note or card.
4. Drop-off your completed Smile Box at one of the many locations between December 2 and 10. 

Watch the How-To Video for Extra Tips.

Santas For Seniors will be partnering with Caledon Fire to offer four community drop off locations from December 2 to 10. 

You can drop off your Smile Boxes at the following locations during the times provided: 

Bolton Fire Station (302) - 14002 Highway 50, Bolton
             Open Monday - Sunday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Snelgrove Fire Station (307) - 2 Snelcrest Dr. Caledon
             Open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Caledon Village Fire Station (309) - 3611 Charleston Srd. Caledon
             Open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Fire Headquarters – 6211 Old Church Rd. Caledon East
             Open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
 

Please note that there are also six community residential locations within Caledon - for more information on these locations please email santasforseniorspeel@gmail.com.

A Free volunteer run computer class offered by Caledon Community Services "Seniors Helping Seniors" program where residents will receive one-on-one training and support.

Program volunteers assist residents with their personal technology to help them better understand how to use them. Volunteers have the understanding to support various technologies including apple and android smartphones, iPads and android tablets. 

The goals of these peer-based classes are to tailor to the needs of the individual and help provide support to make technology easy to use and comfortable. 

Sessions are offered Wednesdays from 1 - 2:10 p.m. or 2:15 - 3:25 p.m. at the Albion Bolton Public Library starting October 18, 2023. 

Pre-Registration is required for program. 

For more information or to register for the program, please phone or text:

Gordon Morton – Team lead (647) 636-3462 or; 

Leanne Flood – Team lead (416) 455-8405 or;

Silvana Ferrari – CCS Coordinator (905) 584-2300 ext. 273

• Technology 101
  • Learn how to use a smart phone, computer, iPad or tablet. Registration Required.
• Chromebook Project - Introduction Classes
  • Introduction to computers. Learn about technology! 
    Classes with chrome books provided that you can take home and practice. 
• Intermediate Computer Classes
  • Various topics taught each week. 
• Tablet and iPad Classes
  • Learn how to use your tablet or iPad better.

For class information please go online to www.caledonseniors.ca or call 905-951-6114

The Caledon Public Library offers a variety of tech supports that can help you familiarize yourself with your devices or get help if you need it. They also offer Free WiFi at all branches, computer access, rentable hotspots, accessible workstations and more for those who may not have these resources at home. 

• Internet Basics Class – October 26 @ ABCC 7-8 p.m.
• Tech Savvy Teens
  • Albion Bolton branch – Tuesdays 6 - 8 p.m. and Fridays 4 - 6 p.m.
  • Southfields Village branch – Thursdays 4 - 8 p.m. and Fridays 4 - 6 p.m. 

For more information visit www.caledon.library.on.ca or call 905-857-1400.

Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (EAPO) is recognized as the provincial organization leading elder abuse prevention in Ontario.

Their mission is to create an Ontario that is free from abuse for all seniors. They provide support to seniors affected by abuse, foster public awareness, deliver training, and community building.

Know your rights in Ontario

Learn the Facts

Prevention

Below are some resources available through EAPO: 

• They host a variety of educational webinars on various topics. Click Here to view their upcoming webinars
• Printable Fact Sheets  
  
• Training tools 

Ageing Well in Caledon & Dufferin (AWICD) is a network of community agencies and organizations focusing on the empowerment and wellbeing of older adults in Caledon and Dufferin.

Our mission is to enhance comprehensive community care through avenues of Communication and Awareness that support Social, Mental, Physical and Emotional health. 

Elder Abuse Networks are located throughout the province, empowering communities on issues related to the Prevention of elder abuse. As a Elder Abuse Network Partner, our AWICD members are committed to ensuring that residents have the information and tools they need to help prevent elder abuse in our communities.  

To learn more about Ageing Well in Caledon & Dufferin please go to www.awicd.org 

CaledonDufferin Victim Services is a not for profit, charitable organization serving the Town of Caledon and the County of Dufferin. They offer free, one-to-one, confidential assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to support individuals affected by crime and tragic circumstances. At CDVS, the needs of every victim matters.

They offer:

• Supports for Seniors in Crisis
• Bereavement
• Frauds & Scams
• Safety

24/7 in-person or telephone support and crisis intervention.

905-951-3838 
www.cdvs.ca 

General Inquiries

If you support someone in need and feel anxious and overwhelmed with your caregiving responsibilities, you’re not alone. The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) exists to support Ontario’s 4 million caregivers; ordinary people who provide physical and emotional support to a family member, partner, friend or neighbour. 

Website: www.ontariocaregiver.ca 

24/7 Helpline: 1-833-416-2273 (CARE)

• Peer Supports:(1-1 support, online support groups, young caregiver supports)
• Webinars for Caregivers: live one-hour webinars presented by subject matter experts on a variety of timely and important topics for caregivers.
• SCALE Program (Supporting Caregiver Awareness, Learning and Empowerment): empowering caregivers with practical information and skills to focus on their own mental health and well-being.
• Caregiver Coaching Program: personal guidance to help you work-through current challenges in your caregiving role.
• Online Learning Library: Learning Management system used for teaching and learning caregiver related subject matter through online eLearning modules and courses.
• Toolkits for Caregivers: Caregiver 101, Caring for a Senior, Caring for an Adult, Caring for a Child or Youth, I am a Caregiver Toolkit
• Working Caregivers: caregivers trying to balance work and caregiving demands. 
• Resources for Black Caregivers & Communities
• Resources for 2SLGBTQ+ Communities
• Resources for Indigenous Caregivers
• Financial Support: There are several financial supports available for caregivers from government agencies and community organizations. You may also be eligible for caregiver benefits and leave.

In collaboration with Adult Day Services team members and other health care professionals, they will help deliver or promote:

• Caregiver support, education, and counselling through the health care spectrum.
• Time limited, solution focused therapeutic counselling onsite, over the phone, or in a support group for both client and caregivers.
• Education on the resources and services available to enhance client autonomy.
• Advance care planning discussions.
• Referrals to other health professionals as appropriate.
• Advocacy on behalf of the client or the caregiver.

Once a month the Region of Peel's Building Caregiver Capacity Collaborative meets to provide information, resources and discuss the challenges of being a caregiver. They welcome caregivers, service providers, funders, and other organizations to join us to help build up caregiver supports, services and programs.

They want to hear about your experience as a caregiver so you can be better supported in your caregiving role, and for providers to share resources, identify service gaps and develop action plans to address caregiver needs.

If interested in participating in this monthly session please email adultdayservice@peelregion.ca.

The Region of Peel also offers: 

Short Term Respite Care at Davis Centre Peel Long Term Care - Caledon

The Caregiver in the Hills program's mission is to promote positive partnerships between unpaid Caregivers and the health care community to ensure mutual respect, communication, and compassion. Caregivers in the Hills is FREE to join and welcomes applications from all unpaid caregivers in Dufferin County and Caledon.  

Website: www.hillsofheadwaterscollaborative.ca 

Phone: 519-216-6671

Email: info@caregiversinthehills.ca 

Caregiver ID Badge - used in health and social care settings to ensure care providers know you are a caregiver.

Benefits of Participating in the Caregiver In The Hills program: 

• You will be recognized as a Caregiver by healthcare providers in the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative.
• It will give you confidence to ask questions to support your loved one.
• Providers will recognize you as a caregiver and it will provide validation of your role and presence in the healthcare setting.
• Local navigation support for caring for your loved one. 

• Bethell Hospice 
• Help for Mom
• Roots Community Services
• Punjabi Community Health Services
• Bereaved Families of Ontario – Halton/Peel
• COSTI immigrant and employment services
• Indus Community Services
• Alzheimer Society Peel
• Alzheimer Society Dufferin
• CNIB Foundation
• Malton Neighbourhood Services
• Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services
• Caledon Community Services